Monroe City School Board of Education
2006 Tower Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
MINUTES
The Monroe City School Board met in regular session, Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at Monroe City School District Central Office, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Bill Willson. Prayer and Pledge was offered by Board Member Brandon Johnson.
Agenda Item 1C – Roll Call
Present: Mr. Sampognaro, Ms. Jennifer Haneline, Mr. Willson, Mr. Daryll Berry, Mrs. Betty Ward Cooper, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Brenda Shelling
Agenda Item 1D – Adoption of the Agenda
Mr. Johnson asked to move consent agenda item 3B to consent items for separate consideration and
Ms. Haneline asked to move consent agenda item 3E to consent items for separate consideration.
Without objection 3B and 3E were moved to consent items for separate consideration.
Agenda Item 2A Presentation – Ouachita 4-H Update Tara Garlington, Bethany Corona
Mrs. Tara Garlington reported Mrs. Bethany Corona is now the second agent in Ouachita Parish and will be taking over the middle and high school to help young people empowerment coalition. Mrs. Garlington currently has the elementary schools. The two of them will be collaborating on different things. Last year overall enrollment was about 900 and a good comeback. Mrs. Garlington currently has six elementary schools and is working on adding more. Mrs. Bethany Corona reported the Monroe City Schools middle and high schools have added clubs this year. She appreciates the support. She has been going to the schools to introduce herself and let the kids know what is being offered.
Mr. Willson stated 4-H is a great organization and asked for a list of the Monroe City Schools that participate to give out to the board. He stated Mr. Berry is the chairman for parental involvement and would like to partner with 4-H and they may have resources or personnel that can help.
Mrs. Cooper inquired about their club focus. Mrs. Garlington stated last year it was mental health and they are focusing on safety this year.
Superintendent noted 4-H presented and left contact information to all Monroe City Schools administration.
Ms. Haneline thanked 4-H for their continued work.
Mr. Willson thanked Mrs. Garlington and Bethany.
Action Item 3 A, C and D Consent Agenda
It was moved by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Haneline to accept the consent agenda.
The Board approved August 15, 2023, board of education minutes; first readings for policies BCAD (public participation in school board meetings) and BCBI (teleconference/remote participation in school board meetings); first readings for policies EBBB (school and student safety); EDCA (new policy carpool and bus lines safety); IDCJ (new policy continuous learning); JB (attendance), JBD (student absences and excuses), JDA (corporal punishment), and JGCD (administration of medication)
Action Item 4 Consent Items for Separate Consideration – agenda items 3B and 3E moved from consent agenda.
3B Adoption of Board Policy BBBE-R (board member travel regulations) and 3E permission to advertise dental equipment moved from consent agenda.
On a motion by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry the Board approved the adoption of board policy BBBE-R. (board member travel regulation). The motion carried on a majority vote. Mr. Willson opposed.
On a motion by Mr. Berry and seconded by Ms. Haneline the Board approved permission to advertise dental equipment.
Ms. Haneline inquired about supplying the dental equipment. Dr. Vidrine stated he and Tonya will look at the minutes to confirm. Mr. Willson asked in general understanding if they vote for the advertisement, and it is confirmed there was a commitment and promise, then it will be brought back to the Board. Mr. Johnson stated he believes Mrs. Tonore agreed to one dental chair.
The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
New Business Action Item 5A Adoption of the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds Budget Resolution – Revised Budgets for 2022-2023 and Beginning Budgets for 2023-2024.
It was moved by Mrs. Shelling and seconded by Mr. Berry to Adopt the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds Budget Resolution – Revised Budgets for 2022-2023 and Beginning Budgets for 2023-2024.
Ms. Haneline asked for a summary of the finance committee meeting.
Mr. Willson noted there were discussions on ESSER funding, the three sources of income, sales taxes, state taxes, surplus and deficits. Ms. Haneline inquired about a detailed summary of how the ESSER funds were spent and how much we are accounted for. Ms. Haneline received a budget book from Dr. Vidrine. Mr. Willson noted there has been an increase in enrollment since last year.
Public comment: (Mrs. Bryant issued handouts) Mrs. Vickie Krutzer addressed the Board about ESSER Funds. She presented a printed plan to the Board, and administrations of state education. Mrs. Krutzer stated the programs are on the Monroe City Schools website. The financial report as of June 20 for ESSER funds, there was around thirty-two million spent. The 2023-2024 budget shows a total of around thirty-five million available in ESSER II, ESSER, III, ARP and several other funds. Mrs. Krutzer stated the citizens are asking the board to post their revised plans for the thirty-five million that is going to be spent through September 30th of 2024. She presented the Board with the dashboard that is on the Monroe City Schools website and on the state website. This shows they should have a total of 8 million dollars. She stated that under construction projects approximately 36 thousand had been spent. Mrs. Krutzer reported there were projects such as high school press boxes, Carroll Band room, Neville band multipurpose, restrooms, Wossman High School Fieldhouse, and health center. She would like the board to support the gym at Lexington Elementary School. The cost estimates are stated in the plan and was a possible 40 percent increase of the construction cost. Originally 5 million dollars was designated to build a much-needed gym multi-purpose building at Lexington, which would directly impact the academic learning and education of over 600 pre-k through 2nd grade students. The Administration and Board decided the need for a gym and classrooms at Sallie Humble were greater. She supports this and would like the board to support the gym at Lexington. The budget book contains a total of 146 million dollars. This is the opportunity to get the children ready to learn.
Public comment: Mrs. Kathy Patrick stated she wanted to propose that a clearly marked draft budget be posted timely enough for public comments prior to the finance/budget meetings and questions can be submitted. She submitted questions on Thursday and has not received answers back. She stated this is understandable, but it would be nice if those questions were considered prior to the finance meeting and budget vote. She asks for this to be published on the website clearly so multiple people can view it. She asks if there can be a key to not only the schools but all the account codes for each department for administrative and everything that accompany that budget. She asks that the time of meetings be posted on the initial page of the website. Mrs. Patrick noted Neville has a zero budget for ROTC this year. She believes if it’s not budgeted then it won’t happen. She sees that other schools such as Carroll have increased their proposed ROTC budget by over 300 percent from the original budget from last year to this year. She believes it is a worthwhile endeavor but when Neville has zero dollars, she thinks we’re losing an opportunity and pathway for many children who may be able to take advantage of training, service and that college scholarship opportunity. She noticed enhancement items that were budgeted, and no money spent. She believes it’s important along with gymnasiums and extracurricular activities. She stated if we value those items enough to budget for them then we should try to fulfill that obligation to provide those services to our children and those programs. She noted she’s speaking on general funds. There were construction items that were budgeted and not completed to that amount and no carry over to the next year and vice versa on different schools. She voiced her concerns on these construction and furniture items should be put out for bid and should be a known amount and spend that amount not way over. Mrs. Patrick wants to make sure the clarification is there to ensure things are where they should be. She thanked everyone for their time.
The motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item 6A- Report of the Superintendent
* The Superintendent thanked the committee members, Mrs. Shelling for chairing the policy committee meeting and Mr. Sampognaro for chairing the finance committee meeting.
* The warm body count is currently up a few students and could change by October 1st
* Open house is being held in the schools with parents, teachers and students.
* Follow us on Facebook and twitter; a lot of communication and happenings in the school district can be found here.
Agenda Item 6B – Report of Board Members
Mrs. Cooper no report
Mr. Sampognaro wanted to recognize the Monroe City Police Department and Monroe City Fire Department for donating school supplies to the Monroe City Schools students.
Mr. Johnson – No report
Ms. Haneline reported a couple of educational opportunities; How to engage people and post-pandemic landscape that’s centered around nonprofit activity, more information can be found at tobacco feeliving.org/empower. Ms. Haneline will be moderating this but will have panel experts as well. Ms. Haneline thanked Dr. Vidrine and Mrs. Robinson for securing the boardroom for October 26th. There will be a vaping town hall to talk about vaping epidemic and how the schools and community are addressing this with the youth. On September 22nd, there will be a production of Memphis that will occur at the Jack Howard Theater. Ms. Haneline thanked Dr. Vidrine and whomever helps with social media views and postings.
Mrs. Shelling – No report
Mr. Berry thanked the Board for approving the advertising for the dental program at Carroll Magnet. He thanked everyone that came to the parental involvement meeting last Monday. A facilities committee meeting will be held soon.
Mr. Willson echoed Mr. Berry, thanking everyone that came out to the parental involvement meeting. Mr. Willson thanked Mr. Berry for Chairing this committee. The Board members are always invited to attend. Mr. Willson thanked Dr. Vidrine for allowing the community to meet in the board room for the Parental Involvement Meeting. Mr. Willson stated he had the honor of representing the Monroe City School board at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Governor’s Luncheon. He attended the NOVA 15th year celebration of operation, involved with finding employment and helping train people who are unemployed for future jobs. A very worthwhile organization and he thanked them for inviting him to attend. Mr. Willson noted based on guidance received from the district auditors and legal counsel, the Monroe City School District is notifying the public that a notice has been submitted on the district’s behalf to the Louisiana legislative auditor and Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s office of possible or suspected employee misconduct of a financial nature; because the matter involves school district personnel, no further public comment will be made at this time.
Agenda Item 7 – Future Meetings
Board of Education Meetings – October 3, 2023 and November 14, 2023 at 6:00pm; Louisiana School Board Association (LSBA) Fall Trailblazer/LEADS Luncheon September 26, 2023 Baton Rouge, LA
Action Item 7 – Recess/Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the board, on a motion by Ms. Haneline and seconded by Mr. Johnson the meeting adjourned to 6:29p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
/William Willson/ /Brent Vidrine/__________
William “Bill” Willson Dr. Brent Vidrine
Board President Superintendent
Note: These minutes summarize the final decisions made by the Board at the referenced meeting. This meeting was also audio recorded and that recording is available for review by contacting the Board clerk at tonya.robinson@mcschools.net.
